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Exploring the future of Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens

By Remy Cabache

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 12: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 12, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 12: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 12, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 25: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens is sacked by Bud Dupree #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 25: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens is sacked by Bud Dupree #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

How Flacco stacks up:

Ultimately, Flacco’s stats do not match up with the ‘elite’ quarterbacks of the NFL. So, let’s compare him to the middle tier of quarterbacks. The quarterbacks who are either stuck in the conversation of whether teams should move on or are generally forgotten about in quarterbacks discussions – Ryan Tannehill, Matt Stafford, Andy Dalton, Kirk Cousins, Alex Smith, Jay Cutler and Sam Bradford.

Flacco’s stats per 16 games are, if anything, a bit below most of these players. Players you’d assume Flacco would be above. What’s more, the arguments defending Flacco against the ‘elite’ of the NFL, such as his receivers haven’t been as good, he hasn’t had a good run game, the defense hasn’t been as good he hasn’t been in a good system, are no longer valid. All of these QBs have had to deal with similar things as Joe Flacco has.

Must Read: Flacco has been put in tough spots after Super Bowl win

Comparable situations:

Of these quarterbacks, Ryan Tannehill, Jay Cutler and Alex Smith seem to get talked about every offseason as quarterbacks who could or should be replaced for one reason or another. Per 16 games Tannehill passes for about 200 less yards but he has a better touchdown-interception ratio, he’s got a better passer rating and he a very similar completion percentage and win-loss ratio. It is a very similar story with Cutler and Smith.

Tennehill, now following his injury, could be replaced in the coming years. Cutler, has been signed by the Dolphins to cover for Tannehill’s injury. Kansas City drafted Smith’s replacement in the first round of this year’s draft.

Despite this, Flacco has seemingly avoided any talk of actually being a borderline average NFL QB. Why?

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